Infancy is a crucial time to gain nutrients and grow strong bodies through the formula newborns and infants consume. However, it can become frustrating if your baby keeps having spit-up or reflux episodes. This can feel exhausting for both you and your baby, but don’t panic just yet.
Read on to learn why spitting up and reflux occur in infants and the best types of formula to remedy their situation. Before you know it, your baby will be able to hold their food down and gain the weight they need to develop.
Why Does Reflux Occur in Infants?
Know that spitting up and reflux in infants are pretty common. On average, about half of all babies and newborns have spit-up and reflux cases within their first three months of life. This is because the esophageal sphincter is a muscle that helps keep food and nutritional content down, but it isn’t fully developed yet.
Another contributing factor to spit-up and reflux is the air your baby may be introducing into their stomach as they feed. If your baby consumes too much air, the air will not settle well with the milk in their stomach. Once the stomach contracts, the ingested milk comes back up and out in the form of spittle.
When Should a Parent Worry?
While most infants experience spitting up and reflux in their early development, it can cause concern after six months. Let’s look at the possible signs of an underlying issue being the cause.
Abnormal Behavior & Unhappy Mood
If you’re starting to notice that your baby isn’t eating, sleeping, or making bowel movements as they usually should, it could be a sign that something isn’t right. Moreover, if they have a fussy, uncommonly sour mood, that could also stem from a deeper issue. Keep a close eye on your child to ensure they’re not experiencing something worse than typical spit-up occurrences.
Discomfort & No Weight Gain
Is your baby having a hard time lying down? Are they screaming, crying, or crying more often than they usually do? These symptoms, when paired with regular spit-up and reflux, could stem from a larger issue. Moreover, if your baby isn’t gaining weight or is even starting to lose weight, it could indicate something wrong.
Causes of Abnormal Spitting Up & Reflux
If you believe your child is experiencing spit-up and reflux because of an underlying cause, here are a few health issues that could be the culprits. Let’s go over the various types of problems that may impact your baby’s digestion and health.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common issue in the gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by stomach acid repeatedly flowing back into the food pipe, irritating the lining of your esophagus. Some common symptoms of GERD include frequent vomiting, heartburn, colic, gas, re-swallowing or regurgitation, and persistent coughing or wheezing.
Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is an uncommon condition in infants that blocks food and nutrients from entering the small intestine. Usually, a muscular valve called the pylorus between the stomach and small intestine keeps food contained until the next stage of digestion. When this valve does not function properly, the condition can arise.
If it occurs, it usually develops three to five weeks after birth. It is rarer for babies over three months to develop pyloric stenosis. Some common signs of pyloric stenosis include vomiting after eating, difficulty gaining weight, constant hunger, dehydration, and constipation.
Allergies
If your baby experiences reflux regularly, it could stem from allergies. Your baby could have an allergy to ingredients such as dairy or wheat. Some symptoms of allergies include bloating, diarrhea, gassiness, and a rash forming around the anus.
Illness
As for illness, stomach bugs are the most common type of illness that results in reflux by allowing the baby to keep their food down. Other sicknesses that could cause reflux include colds, the flu, or ear and throat infections.
Best Baby Formulas for Reflux
So, which formula is best for spitting up and reflux in infants? Luckily, many non-GMO baby formula products provide the nutrients your baby needs while soothing their aching tummies.
HiPP HA Formula
The HiPP Hypoallergenic Formula helps babies who experience sensitivities to the proteins in cow’s milk. It’s a nutritionally complete formula that can be used alone or as a supplement for breastfeeding.
The PRE and Stage-1 formulations differ through in the use of starches. The HiPP HA PRE stage simply contains no starches, has a thinner consistency, and is easier for younger babies to digest. Both stages benefit from the long-chain milk proteins that are hydrolyzed into smaller fragments to remove casein from cow’s milk, making digestion easier and resulting in fewer allergic reactions.
HiPP UK AR Formula
The HiPP UK Anti-Reflux Formula is a special formula for reflux and regurgitation cases. It is a gentle and thickening milk formula with the addition of carob bean gum. This allows the formula to naturally thicken in the bottle to help your baby keep their food down.
The HiPP UK AR Formula contains fatty acids such as omega-3 and -6 to help during your baby’s first months, as they don’t produce these essential fatty acids on their own. It’s also a nutritionally complete formula, suitable as a dietary treatment for regurgitation and reflux.
HiPP UK & German Comfort Formula
HiPP UK and German Comfort Formula products are designated for babies with higher instances of spitting up and belching after food. The formula contains organic ingredients for easier digestion.
The HiPP German Comfort Formula uses locust bean gum as a dietary fiber ingredient, and both formulas have long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, special fat blends to replicate breast milk, and reduced lactose for easier digestion.
HiPP German AR Formula
Similar to the UK and German Comfort Formula, the HiPP Anti-Reflux Formula is meant for babies who experience multiple episodes of spitting up or belching after feeding. It contains a natural source of locust bean gum, a natural dietary fiber that helps break down nutrients in the stomach. However, it’s crucial to know that HiPP AR does not suit children who are prone to allergies.
Do you need reflux-friendly formulas for your child? Formuland offers a line of European baby formulas to give you plenty of options for your baby. Whatever the issue your baby struggles with, we provide organic, non-GMO formulas with beneficial ingredients to help them grow. Our European infant formula includes brands such as HiPP, Holle, Aptamil, Kabrita, Nannycare, and so much more. Explore our collection of baby formula products today, so your baby can thrive.
